1951 Norton ES2, 490 cc. Registration number LRH 969. Frame ...

Hammer

£3,300

1951 Norton ES2, 490 cc. Registration number LRH 969. Frame number E4/ 33089. Engine number E4/33089.
Introduced at the 1927 Motor Cycle Show, the ES2 sports roadster used the Model 18's overhead-valve engine in the cradle frame of the overhead-camshaft CS1 and from then onwards, the 'ES2' designation was always applied to Norton's top-of-the-range, overhead-valve single. Although originally launched as a sports motorcycle, throughout its long life it was gradually overtaken by more powerful models. It remained popular due to its reliability and ease of maintenance as well as the traditional design. From 1947, the ES2 had an innovative hydraulically damped telescopic front fork and race developed rear plunger suspension. From 1953 it had a single downtube swinging-arm frame and was up-rated to the Rex McCandless Featherbed frame in 1959 featuring an improved AMC gearbox, revised cylinder head, crankshaft-mounted Lucas RM15 60-watt alternator with coil ignition and an eight inch front brake with full width hubs. The wideline Featherbed-framed bike was road tested by The Motor Cycle on June 4, 1959 and found to have a mean top speed of 82mph with petrol consumption of 56mpg at 60mph.
LRH was pre- registered by Jordans of Hull on the 15th January 1951 and sold on the 31st to Douglas Trinick of Hull. Our vendor’s father bought it on the 17th April 1957, along with two Storm guard coats, one pair of waders and one pair of gloves for £65.
Last on the road in 1963 the mileage of 19,090 will be correct and it has been in dry storage ever since. This machine has wonderful patina, except maybe the red painted forks, and will need recommissioning to run due it its inactivity. In the cataloguer's opinion it would make a fantastic oily rag restoration.
Sold with the V5C, V5, R.F. 60, purchase receipt from 1957 and an instruction manual.